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I’m not training for a triathlon but…

I’ve been doing some swimming and cycling recently. But not a lot of running. My hip is still sadly niggling me.

I saw my physio last Friday just to check it wasn’t anything serious as I was going into an Anna Panic (as Ben says, Pannakin mode). Ideas of arthritis and stress fractures were floating around my mind. Yes, seriously over-reacting I know. But I do have arthritis in my family…And an over-active brain when it comes to injuries and niggles.

Anyway the physio said I’d just tweaked my groin/hip flexor area and running Netley had aggravated it further and caused my back to tighten up to compensate (I get an ache in the top of my glute/lower back as well). Panic over. He said it really depends on me when I can get back to running – as long as the pain isn’t unbearable I can run. But I’m still taking it very cautiously and not running for the time being.

My lovely friend at my running club gave me a three day free pass to her AMAZING gym which is just around the corner from me so I thought I’d put that to good use over the weekend. The gym has two pools: one inside and one outdoors (yes, in Britain).

On Saturday morning I got up early and headed there for a swim. Bear in mind I haven’t swum in years (ignoring holidays). I rocked up to the pool in my bikini (I have no actual swimsuit), no goggles and no clue. I got into the Medium Lane (there was no slow lane) and started breast stroking. But I worried this might niggle the groin/hip so changed to front crawl. I wear contact lenses so I had to keep my head out of the water. This is not an easy feat when doing front crawl.

Now no disrespect to them, but there were a lot of older, shall we say senior, ladies there in their swim caps, goggles and proper swimsuits. I did feel slightly judged by them and also hugely inferior (if looks could kill…). Evidently, these ladies go every single day and I was encroaching on their territory. The Medium Lane was becoming ridiculous with people walking up and down the lane so I switched to the Fast Lane and was quickly overtaken a lot by some speedy ladies. Oh my poor ego…

I enjoyed about 15 minutes of swimming until I became bored. Up and down. Up and down. But I stuck it out for 50 minutes. The next day I managed 45 minutes – and even ventured into the outdoor pool (now that gets you moving!) and felt my front crawl improve a lot (it helped bringing goggles). I then treated myself to a good 10 mins soak in the Jacuzzi.

After my swim on Saturday I realised I could get to parkrun to see Ben run.

I got there just before 9am and loved the look on Ben’s face as I cheered him and he realised I was there. It was nice to still make parkrun to support – though I looked a little like a drowned rat with my wet hair.

Ben did a good run, just under 22 minutes. We had a nice cup of tea and chat with some running friends and Ben got on top of his football sticker swapping…

Yes, he is 26 years old.

Monday morning Ben and me got up at 6.10am (ON A BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY – sorry for the caps, but that is early, am I right?) to go for a 30 mile bike ride with a fair number of guys from the running club (or ‘injured’ club as some said as a lot of the people there currently couldn’t run because of injury, myself sadly included I guess).

Photo credit – Kelly

Well as you can see I’m one of the few not wearing a jacket. In my running-focused brain I thought I’d get warm on the cycle, even if it rained.

Well the heavens opened up and I was FREEZING. Ben, my loving husband, gave me his jacket though and cycled in just a running t-shirt. Honestly, I don’t know how he survived in the absolute freezing and wet conditions as I was still so cold despite the jacket. He has definitely earnt a few Husband Points!

Just a little bit hilly…

By about 20 miles though I wanted to be home. I was so cold and wet it just became very difficult to enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, if the weather had been better I’d have loved it. The route was scenic, the hills were tough but satisfying…but being so cold for so long is just not fun. Total time cycling: 2:19:12 though we stopped a few times to regroup.

As soon as we got home I was in the bath with a coffee (again, lovingly made by my husband after he’d had a shower). I just couldn’t get warm. I was also starving. I didn’t have anything before cycling and nothing on route (this is the same for running) but on the last stretch of the ride I started to feel dizzy and weak. Not good at all. Need to be more sensible next time. This is a whole different thing to running!

After a big bowl of porridge and then a proper shower I felt more human. Thankfully we were going to Nando’s later as well with a friend so I could eat my body weight in chicken. The calorie in-out balance was definitely returned to normal by the end of the day 😉

Running, cycling or swimming – which do you prefer? I think we know my answer to this 😉

Are you a fair weather exerciser? I don’t mind running in the rain at all. No problem. But cycling…well not only is it cold but I felt a lot more cautious going downhill as I was scared to slip.

Aw hope you’re on the mend! It’s painful (literally) not being able to do your favourite exercise. I don’t run much anymore but when the sun is out I get overcome by the running bug! So yes, definitely a fair weather runner.Cat recently posted…Cat Sweat #11: I Can’t Sit Down

Fingers crossed that you are recovering well Anna! I don’t run at the moment, but I love it and cannot wait to get back into it. Right now I’m loving walking and would like to get into swimming soon too.Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted…Then and Now – changes during pregnancy

Walking is great. That’s one of my favourite ways to exercise – it’s just easy and you can really just lose yourself in it. Especially if the weather’s nice.AnnaTheApple recently posted…Running ain’t cheap

I’m the same as you with swimming, I only own a bikini, and wear contact lenses so have to keep my head out of water too it’s tricky! Hope your injury heals up quickly.Lauren (@PoweredbyPB) recently posted…London 2 Brighton 56k

Ha ha, reminds me of my husband, he is obsessed with Lego, and he is 33 years old. Men and their toys 🙂
I’d say I still prefer running, but I’m growing to love swimming and cycling. You are doing well on the bike- that’s a long ride you did!Lucy recently posted…Update on Triathlon Training

Haha I totally get what you mean about the pool, although I’ve been sticking to the ‘I-can’t-swim-so-I’m-just-gonna-stand-here’ lane, which is nice and slow 🙂 Definitely agree with you on cycling in the rain too, there really is nothing worse, as you just don’t warm up due to the wind chill. I ordered my new road bike yesterday, it gets here in time for the weekend and we’re hoping to bosh out a long ride 🙂Tess @ FitBits recently posted…Learning to swim: Part 1

Ah! I’m pretty sure that evolution forgot to get rid of our over active brains after the internet came along and ruined all peace of mind! Your mind + body will thank you for being extra cautious though, I totally understand the anxiety you feel though 🙁

AH don’t talk about Nando’s. I’ve been craving some peri peri kick and sweet potato mash but have been choosing to snack on brownies made with melted toffee instead. Wise? Probably not, but I think I might be going to Nando’s tonight, so thanks for the idea 😉

If I actually had a bike I would totally love cycling, we just need the space to keep them! I know I should really be doing more swimming, especially at the moment, but it’s such a faff to get to the pool when I’m already short on time. Hope your hip niggle gets sorted!

I feel your pain when it comes to contact lenses in the pool. It’s a proper pain! And then yep, so boring. Backwards and forwards along the same bit of pool. Running will always be my number one choice. At least I can vary where I run and have something different to look at. And still chat to people whilst out on a run. Swimming isn’t exactly a social sport!Mary recently posted…Who shuts loos at 4pm?!

I don’t think I have ever biked in the rain, and I don’t think I want to try it out! I don’t mind running in the rain at all…sometimes I think it can even be kind of fun.Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats recently posted…Easy Finance Tips for 20-Somethings

Ugh I hate swimming! I find it so tiring, and I am not a strong swimmer at all, and I hate the chlorine, and then the sea makes my skin itch, and fish freak me out (I had a bad experience in the sea once and still have a 6 inch scar on my bottom to remember it by), and in the pool I just end up thinking about how many children have peed in the pool, and then my hair smells for days, even if I shampoo it three times, and basically I hate it. Although I don’t mind going in a spa pool!
Cycling I like, and used to cycle everywhere before I learnt to drive (even to my school placements) but the roads terrify me now. But I am glad you are enjoying it 🙂
So basically, running is my favourite, in case you hadn’t guessed!Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted…Hill repeats!

Aaaaaah I feel your pain – cycling in the rain is horrible! Waterproofs help (if you can bear the horrible hot sticky sensation, otherwise layers on your core and this help – and overshoes – they are the single best thing I’ve bought as they make my feet feel like little radiators on the end of my legs! It’s a tough one though, it’s a call between lugging lots of stuff round (which we do, as we train over 50-60 miles) and being minimal and cold/wet/miserable if the weather changes. Hope your hip calms down soon, glad to hear it’s none of your worst case scenarios x

I saw a few people wearing overshoes and they seemed like a brilliant idea.
Yeah it’s really quite complicated isn’t it? I’d much have rather have been hot and sweaty then cold and wet though, but I see your point about lugging loads of stuff.AnnaTheApple recently posted…Running ain’t cheap

I hope your hip is better 🙂
Have you got a waterproof MP3 player? My husband got me one for Christmas (you can get really cheap ones on amazon) and it has made my swims SO much better. Definitely not as boring. Although I find I end up swallowing loads of water because I am singing so much hahaDannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Murgh Makhani Curry (Butter Chicken)